It’s just a box. Not that different from the one that will probably show up on your doorstep or mine today, maybe stuffed with holiday gifts or toilet paper. So why am I feeling a little choked up standing...
‘Last thing nursing homes need is COVID-19 and flu at the same time,’ expert warns
By
Danielle Brown
Aug 26, 2020
This year, appeals will be stronger than ever for skilled nursing employee to get the flu vaccine. Many observers are already imploring operators to make flu vaccination mandatory because of potential...
CMS memo: ‘Dramatic staff losses’ not happening due to vax requirements
By
James M. Berklan
Feb 02, 2022
Declaring once again that “Vaccine requirements work,” Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure on Tuesday urged healthcare facility administrators to increase...
COVID vaccine protects elderly; delivery program has buy-in from nearly all U.S. nursing homes
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 19, 2020
Fully 99% of skilled nursing facilities nationwide have signed on with the federal Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program vaccine delivery initiative, HHS says. The news arrived just as Pfizer...
CMS issues ‘long overdue’ visitation guidelines for nursing homes
By
James M. Berklan
Jun 25, 2020
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services excited the provider community and brought clarity to numerous aspects of restarting visits at nursing homes Wednesday.
COVID-19, PPE and nurse smackdowns
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Mar 18, 2020
What’s it going to take for nurses to get a little respect — and the personal protective equipment they need so badly?! I have my ideas.
New guidance affirms providers’ right to reject religious exemptions for COVID vaccinations due to...
By
Danielle Brown
James M. Berklan
Oct 27, 2021
Long-term care providers shouldn’t read too much into updated COVID-19 vaccination guidance on religious exemptions released this week by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, according to...
CMS guidance bans most visitors, communal dining at nursing homes over COVID-19
By
James M. Berklan
Danielle Brown
Mar 16, 2020
Nursing homes are being directed to restrict all visitor access from its facilities as the nation works to combat and limit the spread of COVID-19. The guidance received instant support from providers...
Providers worry they might not be able to meet staff fingerprinting deadline, leading to forced terminations
By
Danielle Brown
Jul 07, 2021
Connecticut long-term care providers are quickly trying to comply with a state mandate that requires healthcare workers hired during the pandemic to submit fingerprints for a background check by July 20...
‘Most difficult year in history’: Long-term care industry finally rebounding after suffering more...
By
Danielle Brown
Mar 03, 2021
Despite a year that saw more than 171,000 nursing home residents and caregivers die from COVID-19, providers are now celebrating their latest victory in the battle against the virus.